Electric-lamp socket



July 16, 1929. E. w. ZWETSCH ELECTRIC LAMP SOCKET Filed March 25, 1928 JNVENTOR. Edd/i7? WZWeZsch TTORNEY.

atented duly 16, 1929.

v ime EDWIN W. ZWETSCH, OF ALEXANDER, NEW YORK.

ELECTRIC-LAMP SOCKET.

Application filed. March 23, 1928. Serial No. 264,230.

This invention relates to improvements in electric lamp sockets and has for its primary object to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a socket in which a standard electrio lamp ofthe usual screw threaded base construction, may be inserted and securely held, without the necessity of rotating either the socket or the lamp.

A further object is to provide a socket as above mentioned, which is particularly adapted for the ready connection of electric appliances, wherein said connection may be made without twisting the cord to which the plug or base fixture is attached.

A further object is to provide a socket, as hereinafter set forth, which is equipped with resilient means to grip the lamp or cord base, thereby enabling the connection to be made in a fraction of the time required with the internally screw threaded type of socket.

A further object is to provide a socket as above mentioned, which is simple in construction and positive in action, and which may be manufactured at no additional cost to that of the. usual threaded type socket.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings, in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same, Figure 1 is an elevation of a socket and lamp engaged therewith, with a portion of the socket broken away and shown in section,

5 Figure 2 is a similar view with the lamp removed, and

Figure 3 is a perspective of the inner ring 4 tosaid ring.

In the accompanying drawings, wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown an embodiment of my invention, the numeral 5 designates generally an electric socket member having a top portion 6 of usual construction and a bottom portion 7, wherein my invention resides. The outercaslng S s formed with external screw threads 9, as 1s usual in fixtures of this type, although the threads are not essential and form no part of the present invention.

The bottom portion 7 1s formed with the usual opening or cavity 10, about the annular wall of which is disposed a layer of of the socket and the resilient clips secured insulation 11. The insulation 11 covers the entire area of said annular wall and has its outer end flush with the outer end of the casing 8.

Disposed circumferentially within the opening 10 is a cylindrical ring 12, which fits snugly against the insulation 11 and has a length of approximately one third the length or depth of the opening. Said ring is formed at its upper or inner end with an inwardly extending annular flange 13, which is secured to the top portion 6 by suitable means such as the screws 1 1.

Secured to the inner face of the ring 12,

at equal distances apart, circumferentially thereof, are a plurality of resilient clips 15, which may be of any number desired, four being shown in the present embodiment. The clips 15 are provided with transverse corrugations 16, which in section are counterparts-to the external threads 17 of the standard base 18 of the lamp 19. 1

The clips 15 are positioned in the ring 12 with their inner end portions in longitudinal alinement therewith and the outer, I

show that the central portions of the clips are out of contact with the wall of the open- When the base 18 is inserted in the opening 10, the ends 20 of the clips 15 are forced outwardly into contact with the wall of the opening. As the base is inserted farther into the opening, the space 21 between the central portions of the clips and the wall of the opening permits the clips to flex outwardly, intermediate their ends to permit the threads 17 of the base 18 to slip over the convex portions of the inner faces of the corrugations 16. When thethreads 17 are in peripheral alinement with the concave portions of the inner faces of the corrugations 16, the inherent resilient quality of the clips 15 causes their central longitudlnal portions to spring inwardly as shown in Figure 1, wherein the base 18 is shown inserted completely within the opening,

with its contact point 22 in position against the contact point 23 of the top portion 6.

The base 18 may be forced straight into the opening 10, however its entry therein may be facilitated by imparting to the base a slight reciprocatory rotary movement. Obviously, its removal may be facilitated in the same manner.

It is to be understood that the form of my invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as a preferred example of the same, and that various changes in the size, shape, and arrangement of parts may be .resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

What I claim is: 1. Ina deviceof the character described,

a socket member having an annular Wall, a

ring positioned against the inner face of said wall at the inner end of the latter, and a plurality of corrugated resilient clips secured at their inner ends to the inner face of said ring whereby the latter spaces the inner end portions of the clips from the wall, said clips being offset inwardly with respect to said wall at a point adjacent said ring and extending to the diametrical plane of the outer end of said wall. I

2. In a device of the character described,

a socket member having an annular Wall, a

ring positioned against the inner face of said wall at the inner end of the latter, and a plurality of corrugated resilient clips secured at their inner ends to the inner face of said ring whereby the latter spaces the inner end portions of the clips from the wall, said clips being ofi'set inwardly with respect to said wall at a point adjacent said ring and extending to the diametrical plane of the outer end of said wall, the outer ends 7 ture hereto.

I EDWIN W. ZWETSCH. 

